(Discover the eight phases of the moon.)
When a full moon coincides with the time of the perigee, we get a supermoon – a lunar disc which seems slightly larger and shines more brilliantly than usual. Compared to the most distant full moon, a supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter. Against an average full moon, the difference is closer to 7% larger and 15% brighter. With the naked eye, the change may seem subtle, but the photos side by side reveal how really the effect is.
Why 2025 will have three consecutive supermo
Supermoons are not uncommon – we generally see a few each year. What is unusual is that 2025 will have a sequence of three consecutive complete moons lined up at Périge. This happens because the time of the perigee derives slowly compared to the lunar phases, ending a complete cycle approximately every 14 lunar months. Sometimes this cycle means that one full moon is close enough to qualify as “great”. Other times, as in 2025, alignment is just to produce a series of three in a row.
The cosmic party continues until 2026 when January 3 will be the first supermoon of next year, which technically means that we are about to attend four consecutive supermoons.
The names behind the moons
For centuries, the complete moons have brought names that reflect seasonal rhythms, survival strategies and cultural traditions. Many of the most familiar English language names have been preserved by sources such as the Farmer’s almanacwhich relied on European and native name practices.
